LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2013) — Twenty recent college graduates from across the globe currently are taking part in the inagural Alltech Graduate Academy, and four of the participants are Kentuckians, including two who are alumni of the University of Kentucky.

In all, a competitive pool of 1,550 applicants from around the world vied for the opportunity to take part in year-long training projects at one of Alltech's global offices. When the rigorous testing and interview process was completed, Kentucky produced the highest number of accepted graduates among both states and countries.

Versailles native Rebecca Noble received a bachelor's degree in political science from UK and later earned a master's degree in international political economy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Danielle Palmer, who hails from Crestwood, studied journalism as a UK undergraduate prior to attaining her master's degree from UK's Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce.

The other two Kentuckians chosen as part of an elite class of emerging leaders in global agribusiness are Ashland native Daniel Grubb and Woodford County's Ashley Hamilton Baker. Baker majored in Spanish at Auburn University and went on to earn her master's in international business management from Kingston University, London. Grubb, a chemistry major and physics minor at Georgetown College, worked in a lab at UK's Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) for three years, helping to devise ways to convert algae into biodiesel using various metal-supported catalysts.

Noble, Palmer and Baker also bring extensive professional experience to the program, both nationally and internationally. Noble is assigned to the Alltech Crop Science (ACS) team, Grubb is part of the Algae team, while both Palmer and Baker are members of the Brewing and Distilling team.

Commenting on her educational background at UK, Palmer said, "My experience at the Patterson School certainly equipped me with the knowledge and skills to fully understand the intracacies of international relations, whether from a business or policy standpoint. It's exciting to get to utilize that education in my career now."

Noble added, "My time at UK genuinely served as the foundation of not only my education, but also my career. The university gave me the chance to explore my interest in economics and then to utilize the Study Abroad office to locate opportunities in London and China after graduation."

Grubb said, "I learned to manage multiple projects at the same time while at Georgetown, then the opportunity to work alongside people from all over the world at CAER was a tremendous experience."

Baker pointed to state pride and setting an example for others from the Commonwealth.

"As a Kentuckian, I feel it is important for our community and future leaders to know that they can choose any path of their liking and know that we truly have the best people," she said. "I am grateful to my family, mentors, and educators here and abroad. I would not have had this opportunity without their guidance and support."

Founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons more than 30 years ago, Alltech is a global health and nutrition company that employs 3,000 people and has a presence in 128 countries. Alltech's world headquarters is located in Nicholasville.